Release Date: 11/04/13
Publisher: 2000AD (Rebellion)
SYNOPSIS:
Sláine MacRoth Celtic warrior and High King of the tribes of the Earth Goddess Danu, continues his journey through time. Sláine arrives in thirteenth century France, where he comes face to face with Crusader Simon De Montfort, the sworn enemy of the Cathars. While searching for the tortured reincarnation of his lover Niamh, Sláine is compelled to join forces with De Montfort in order to seek out the Grail Stone. The quest won t be easy, however Sláine will have to defeat the dark forces of El if he is to stand any chance of saving Niamh s soul!
REVIEW:
A strange and weird trip into magick in the modern age as the past and present collide when a gift is opened within a soldiers mind though a terror attack. Its definitely strange and to be honest I liked the first part a lot more than the later as for me, it felt like it took a concept that was fascinating and flung it into the unknown.
Don’t get me wrong the storytelling worked wonderfully well, the artwork was beautiful and when added to the twisted minds at 2000AD, it all round was something that took you on an adventure but personally I’d have preferred it had they kept it to just the Neanderthal and the principle character. That was an idea I absolutely loved.
Release Date: 02/02/12
SYNOPSIS:
A ROAD TRIP THROUGH HELL! Mega-City One, 2100. A deadly plague developed during the brutal 'Great Germ War' has reached the futuristic metropolis of Mega-City Two, located on the West Coast of the USA. Charged with delivering a life-saving vaccine to the citizens of the disease-ridden city, Judge Dredd and a small crew of Judges, war droids and the lawbreaking biker, Spikes Harvey Rotten, must travel a thousand miles across the radioactive wasteland known as 'the Cursed Earth.' It is a near-impossible journey hate-filled mutants, rampaging monsters and crazed war robots populate the hellish stretch of terrain. Many men have attempted to cross it and most have failed. But Judge Dredd is the best there is!
REVIEW:
I love spending the time with my head wrapped up in a graphic novel and when I have time to return to the cursed earth travelling the road with MegaCity One’s hardest judge then you know its something that I’m going to do.
What occurs within this title is the full Cursed Earth Saga that really brings all of the flavour of this epic tale to the reader, with artwork that brings the heavy action to the fore as Dredd sets out to save Mega City 2. Whilst I have loved spending my time with this book, one criticism that I do have is that for me the writing is too small to keep reading for any length of time, so when you do make sure you have a bright light and a set of glasses to help you out.
Release Date: 11/06/12
SYNOPSIS:
It is a dark time in the history of Mega-City One. Having employed blackmail and coercion in order to topple the balance of power within the Justice Department, the tyrannical head of the Special Judicial Squad Judge Cal has managed to secure the position of Chief Judge. The crazed Cal has enlisted the help of an army of reptilian alien mercenaries known as the Kleggs, appointed his pet goldfish as deputy Chief Judge and framed Judge Dredd for murder in order to maintain power. But Dredd is the kind of Judge who doesn't go down too easily and together with a rebel army made up of other Judges and citizens, prepares to fight back. Can Judge Dredd succeed against all odds and defeat Judge Cal before he destroys the entire population of Mega-City One?
REVIEW:
Within this title Dredd sets out to free Mega City One from the tyrannical rule of the Chief Judge and all that really needs to be said is that this book really stands out on its own for readers. It has a great storyline, some wonderful tiwsts which when blended with cracking artwork really grabs the reader and holds on.
As with the others my only criticism is that for me, the writing is too small to make it easy reading, but other than that its still a wonderful addition to any 2000AD fans collection.
Release Date: 13/09/12
SYNOPSIS:
An all-time-classic in a small paperback format. Judge Dredd's ultimate nemesis has arrived. His name is Judge Death, and in his eyes, all life is a crime! the super-fiend from Deadworld proves to be an implacable enemy, and Judge Dredd must work with Psi Judge anderson to save Mega-City one from a city-wide death penalty. Fearsome characters that have mainatained their popularity throughout the years thanks to the fantastic designs of Brian Bolland, the Dark Judges are determined to end all life in Mega-City one once and for all!
REVIEW:
Dredd’s toughest opponents return in this cracking compendium that brings Anderson from Psi Division into her own as she battles the minions of justice from a long dead society. Its definitely a tale that really will grab you and keep you glued as the wonderful artwork blended with high action gives you what you crave. Add to the mix some solid storytelling and all round it’s a real gem, however as with the others the text is too small and you’ll need a bright light to make it easier to read.
Release Date: 19/07/12
SYNOPSIS:
In 1999, Britain was successfully invaded by the Volgs. When London lorry driver Bill Savage learnt that his family had been killed by the Volgs, he became a one-man war machine - a persistant thorn in the side of the occupying army. Having adopted the identity of his dead brother, Savage operates out of a bombed-out london, leading the resistance against his hated enemy. Now, business brain Howard Quartz - the CEO of Ro-Busters - has launched an attack on the Volgan forces with his Mark-One War Droids, but the Volgs have some technological tricks of their own, including a functional teleportation device....
REVIEW:
This is a title I wasn’t familiar with but it was a story of urban warfare that I could get behind, especially being a huge fan of Ennis’ The Boys. What this title gives the reader is a dark and gritty tale of an invaded Britain with a freedom fighter movement seeking to claim back our land from the invader. It’s a tale that has been done before usually with a historical setting (such as Hereward) but is something that really works well for the black and white visual style of Patrick Goddard.
Add to this solid storytelling, a lead character that the reader can get behind alongside a supporting cast to help make the tale more believable and all in it’s a cracking read that will keep the reader occupied for a good few hours. Finally throw into the mix a compendium that contains two tales that make this value for money and all in, it’s a book that I’ll be enjoying a few more times, especially when more Savage tales land. Magic.
BOOK BLURB:
This is the second full colour Slaine story, where he is brought back to life by the goddess Danu to battle with his arch enemy Ellfric. The story is set in Roman Britain.
REVIEW:
OK, I’ll admit it right here, I love the tales of Slaine. They were a staple part of my comic reading as a kid and something of a guilty pleasure now as an adult (I even own some original Slaine Art from some of the early issues). Here in this latest compendium is a number of stories that do what 2000AD have always done best, let the warrior loose to unleash his fury on the enemy. Great story arc’s and with a touch of genius for the dialogue between our protagonist and his comedic sidekick dwarf and you pretty much are guaranteed a satisfied read. Slaine, I raise a glass of mead in your honour Slainte.
